Our Programs

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At Knights of Columbus - Switzerland Council - 12664, we offer a range of programs to support our community and the San Juan del Rio Parish, including food assistance, youth leadership, and efforts to strengthen Catholic men. Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of each individual or family we serve. 

COR
Provide the opportunity for men of the parish to reencounter Christ, to pray together, to be formed in their faith, and to strengthen their bonds of brotherhood, preparing them for courageous leadership and the mission of evangelization.

Field of Dreams
A community program designed to enable children with significant mental or physical challenges to participate in youth sports. The children are placed on a team with teammates, uniforms, coaches, and umpires.

Camp I Am Special
A program for children with significant mental or physical challenges run by Catholic Charities of Jacksonville. Programs last up to a week. Each child is assigned a buddy to accompany them throughout the week. The buddy is a high school student volunteer. In addition to the children, the program benefits their parents and families who get a break from their special needs children.

ASAP/Pregnancy Support
These programs support the material needs of expectant mothers either during pregnancy or after pregnancy (ASAP). Historically our council supports programs from our community or diocese.

Breakfast with Santa
A breakfast on the first Saturday of December for parishioners of SJDR. Santa makes an appearance and a raffle is held for a Christmas tree purchased from the SJDR lot.

Light up for Christ
A parish tree is decorated with Christmas lights. The tree is lit and parishioners sing Christmas carols. Light refreshments are served after the singing is complete. Open to all SJDR  parishioners. Held in early December after the 5:00 mass.

Food for Families (F4F)
Food is purchased from neighborhood food stores using funds from the council and assembly budget and supplemented by cash donations at council and assembly meetings.  Food coupons are heavily used in order to provide extra food. Local food banks, homeless shelters, and the Cenaculo community receive food purchased through this program. The Cenaculo community are young adults dealing with addictions who live in community to support their recovery.

Family, Knight, and Altar Server of the Month
A monthly program honoring a SJDR family or a council member whose lives demonstrate the virtues of the knights of Columbus. An altar sever is also recognized each month for their service to the parish.

Family Rosary Night
A rosary is said by SJDR parishioners with special emphasis by children.

RSVP
A program of financial and spiritual support of seminarians from SJDR. Financial support is given quarterly or semiannually.

Highway Cleanup
A quarterly program to clean the roadside a mile or two before and after SJDR. Benefits both the parish and our St. John’s community

Free Throw Contest
A fall program open to boys and girls from the parish with winners for each age group from 9-14 years old. Winners are eligible to participate in district, then regional, then state completions. SJDR parishioners have won at every level over the years.

Community Shred Event
A fundraiser where parishioners or members of our community can purchase bag(s) where they can put confidential records to be shredded by a local company. Help is needed to sell the bags after each mass.

Fish Fry Fundraiser
A knights fundraiser selling fish fry dinners during each Friday in lent except for Good Friday. Large numbers of volunteers are needed at each fish fry to cook, serve, and clean after. This is our largest fundraiser of the year. A portion of the proceeds is given to the SJDR youth group to support that program including the annual Steubenville retreat. A portion of the proceeds is also given to support the parish CCW for their sale of desserts during the dinner.

Catholic Schools Week Breakfast
The knights cook and serve breakfast on the last Monday in January to launch Catholic schools week. Benefits students and teachers at SJDR school.

Taste of Nations
A parish program celebrating the many cultures within SJDR. Participants cook items representing their country and bring items that celebrate their culture. Where applicable the patron saint of their country is highlighted

Knights of Columbus Holy Hour
A monthly hour to pray, adore the Eucharist, and pray the rosary. Open to all parishioners of SJDR.

St. Patrick’s Dinner
A parish fundraising dinner celebrating Saint Patrick and Irish culture. A local Irish dance studio performs Irish dances for the attendees.

Field of Dreams Dinner
A spring fundraising dinner benefiting the field of dreams program and other program’s benefiting special needs youth. Open to all parishioners and members of the St. John’s community